Since my last editorial the whole country has been through incredibly challenging times and especially the SME business sector, which most of our readers are in.

Those who have not run businesses don’t really understand the balancing act of running a business and the challenges. Margins are tight, and the loss of five weeks income but with ongoing rent and staff costs, will put many businesses near or even the edge.

A great comment we saw in response to Labour MP Deborah Russell’s negative comments about SME’s from a small business owner was, “Our stories of the daily struggles, the late payments from both government and large corporates that can tank us as any moment and pressure to make sure that we bring in enough each month to pay our staff don’t make for fun news. Instead we just get on with being true to our own values of being businesses for good not just for profit which means that we live close to the line all the time. That’s the reality of small business and perhaps it’s a story we need to share and celebrate more.”

Our lead story this issue looks at some of the Covid-19 impacts and realities of doing business in this sector under Level 3 and Level 2 restrictions – but at least we can do business unlike at Level 4 where it was mainly costs going out with no or minimal income.

On the good side people will be reluctant to take public transport for a while, so cars will get used more, on the other hand all travel is constrained so less use – will be interesting to see how than pans out for repair volumes.

We would love to hear your stories of how your business is coping and adapting – email me cathy@adrenalin.co.nz 

Cathy